New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones has been the subject of widespread criticism after the team made him a first-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Jones initially led New England to a playoff appearance as a rookie, looking very much the part of a franchise quarterback. It has been completely downhill for the Alabama product since. He’s posted an 8-17 record as a starter with 24 touchdowns and 23 interceptions over the past two seasons.
It’s now almost a foregone conclusion that the Patriots’ new brass will trade Jones here soon. They boast the No. 3 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft and have been linked to multiple signal callers set to hit free agency.
For Jones and the Patriots, this would represent an ugly divorce following the departure of legendary head coach Bill Belichick. But it won’t come without some support from his soon-to-be former teammates.
Related: Top NFL free agents of 2024
New England Patriots’ Matt Judon back Mac Jones
“When Mac was comfortable, and he had a good system, he produced and he put up numbers,” Judon said, via Andrew Callahan of the Boston Herald. “And when you said we scored 45-7 [against Cleveland in 2021], Mac Jones led that team. We know he can do it. He has to find his confidence, his stride, and get a rhythm under him. And it’s going to be difficult. It’s his fourth [offensive coordinator] in four years.”
Judon is not necessarily wrong.
Jones’ rookie season saw Josh McDaniels man the offensive coordinator position in New England. After McDaniels moved on to become the Las Vegas Raiders’ head coach, the likes of Joe Judge and Matt Patricia shared the duties. Neither had play-calling experience on offense leading up to Jones sophomore season. Once that experiment failed miserably, Bill O’Brien was called on to run things this past season. It’s not an ideal situation for a young quarterback.
Judon was also asked if he believes Jones can’t turn it around. His response was eye-opening.
“Nah, I think once you catch a stride, catch a rhythm—that’s what they were talking about with Baker Mayfield,” Judon said. “Now we’re talking about Mayfield being one of the first people off the board in free agency.”
- Mac Jones stats: 66.1% completion, 8,918 yards, 46 TD, 36 INT
Despite these strong words of support for Jones, the quarterback will be calling another NFL city home next season. Where that might be is anyone’s best guess.
He’s been linked to both the Las Vegas Raiders and San Francisco 49ers since the 2023 season came to a conclusion. Vegas would be to compete for a starting job while moving on to San Francisco would be to act as Brock Purdy’s backup.